Where would I rather live?

These are my thoughts on the big debate on the law of immigration.
I posted this on facebook that read: What is globalization? It's when you figure out that you could make more than $100 a month if you move elsewhere. What is an Illegal? Is someone who is waiting an H-1B visa but they are 50 years behind. If there was a way to work with a permit, everyone would be legal. That is the part of being illegal that no one understands because it's very simple. There is a procedure for Salvadorans to be legal with obtaining a TPS for example. why can't the rest go through a similar procedure?


Bottom line is about survival. Hatians go to the DR, Dominicans go to Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans go to the US and even Americans are finding jobs in Dubai. People in general move where jobs are available. It's the same thing I did or our parents and grandparents did long ago. Not forgetting that in toady's law, I was and they would all have been ILLEGALS but what happens 30 years later? is what counts in the end.

No more Consulate affairs

I was appointed Honorary Consul for El Salvador in Utah in 2002. This post only ends if I resigned or if I move from the State of Utah. Since I moved to the Dominica Republic in 2010 I am no longer acting as the Honorary Consul.

I miss not being involved with my Salvadoran community because as ironic as this is, now is when I could have more time to dedicate for the job. I never got a dime doing it but, I worked hard as if I did. Those years marked a time in my life of a very painful divorce.

In that picture I went alone to Las Vegas to attend a dinner with the Consul General Oscar Benavides and Margarita Escobar, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I don't know if it was a mistake being away from my family, doing too many things at a time, but I only have the consolation that my ex husband supported what I did and wrote this about me "Veronica works untold hours and has spent thousand of dollars of her own money for the benefit of the Salvadoran Community since her appointment. She is just as comfortable in an ambassadorial role while representing the Utah Community in presence of the Governor and foreign dignitaries as she is in finding critical public resources for the unemployed single mother. she gets calls at all hours of the day from desperate needy women..." That was true, I got very involved helping people because it made me feel good but I probably neglected myself and the needs of my family. A lesson that I learned the hard way is that there is a time and place and a season for everything. Don't try doing it ALL at once!

Punta Cana

Punta Cana is a jewel here in the Dominican Republic, but the best way to get there from the US is to fly directly there. I don't recommend driving from Santo Domingo. It is very dangerous because of the poor infrastructure and some little towns you have to maze through in order to get there. I particularly hate the last two hour drive. It's beautiful but I still don't think it's worth it. There are other beaches closer two hours away from where we live like in la Romana that are just as beautiful.

having lunch with the ladies

The sisters that have re located to the Dominican Republic eat lunch together every month. We each take turns hosting the luncheons. In this occasion, my mother was visiting in the month of May. The picture was taken at the home of Patricia de Sanchez, Others in the picture include: Kathleen Andersen, Kim Whiting, Kathy Jackman, Emma Munive, Cristina Viñas, Cindi Lee, my mother Gloria and me. Not in the picture were: Mary Antivilo, Judy Coleman, Tami Taylor, Denise Lilly, Nancy Rappleye, and Erica Thurston. Most of these ladies are from the US except for sister Cristina, Patricia, Emma and me.

Visit to Gonzalo

Coming back from a tiny little town in Gonzalo, we took this picture because we loved to see a child so happy with his toy he made out of a plastic bottle, and some taps. He had placed a string in one of the "wheels" and was dragging it around on the ground. It was so cute to watch. You had to be there to appreciate his talent in making something out nothing.

The malecon

It always strikes me to see the contrasts of the world that we live in. After meeting with the nicest young men in our church, coming home I realized more than ever what they have to put up against. The malecon area for example and the music in every corner in all areas plus the drinking shows the contrast between the ways of the world and the young men and women of our Church who are in this world but not of the world.

This was a particular special Sunday on July 11 2010 because of the world cup's last game. We couldn't watch the end because we were on the road to San Pedro for a fireside meeting.

Christ's teachings

Daniel has been invited to speak to the LDS members in different meetings and sometimes I am asked to speak also. He has spoken at work to the employees, in sacrament meetings, the Institute of Religion, to the Seminary class graduates and at firesides. In the last fireside last Sunday, we went to the wrong chapel but someone there knew where we needed to be and took us there. It was a miracle! We got in exactly at 6:00 pm to start the meeting. He spoke about missionary work and getting ready to go on a mission.

He had a theme that I loved, he said that doing small things will bring great things to pass. Meaning that all those small acts of kindness do add up. For example, coming to listen to the fireside when they could have easily stayed home. He gave excellent examples of people in the scriptures who did small things that turned out in the end to be great. He also had the young men sing again their special number Call to Serve that they had prepared and this time with the help of all who were present. It was a very touching moment.

Missing the snow

All the years I lived in Utah, I always hated the snow and the cold weather, except one day, I discovered that it was my own fault for hating the snow because in 30 years I never had gone to learn how to skii. I saw my children and their dad going but for some reason I never joined them.

Now in my fifties I regret not learning while I was younger because it is so much more challenging now. I learned that one lesson is not enough. Not only that but it's too late, I am getting older, I don't live in Utah anymore, and the chances that I get to skii now are very slim.

Lo que no disfrutamos

Hicimos una sala de teatro en la casa de Bountiful precisamente para poder estar disfrutando en familia de momentos como los partidos del mundial 2010 en el que participó Uruguay quedando en cuarto lugar.

No nos imaginamos que el trabajo de Daniel nos podia trasladar tan pronto. Quedó nuestra casa en manos de personas totalmente desconocidas y solo esperamos que sean cuidadosos con nuestras cosas porque quien sabe hasta cuando regresemos a casa.

A place to call home in Summit county

On June 16 2010, only eight months after we got married, we were face with yet another decision of what to do next for an investment property. I had been partners with Brad on a building that he was managing and wanted me out. I had to sell him my half.

I called Fredy to help me look for properties and after looking and looking to do a quick 1031 exchange, we felt good about a place on 2001 Park Av. #109 Park City, UT 84060 inside the prestigious Hotel Park City. This is it. We will not make as much money as we did in the other commercial property but it's ours and we love every inch. With this last purchase we have a home in four counties.

Lost and found

Bandit scarped one day and was found by someone who cared enough to call animal services. Rex on the other hand was sold on the street and the man who bought it saw the add on the paper and sold it back to the owners. We are all grateful for happy endings like this.

Once is not enough

At Carol Morgan on Friday June 11 and the next day a celebration prom dinner at the Country club, June 12

Party time for the class of 2010 at Carol Morgan!!!

The theme was ignition. On Friday all family and friends were invited to the commencement exercises. Pictures were taken before it all started. The school band played, the two best sutudents and a teacher gave their talks and the headmaster spoke. Teachers also gave awards to the seniors students. Mandy got the presidential award for academic achievement.

Before that, the class had been invited to attend a special mass and to a cocktail reception at the US Ambassador's home.

The next day was what the school calls prom dinner and dance. Father's walked with their daughters and mothers with their sons. toward the end they all dance. Mandy looked beautiful in her purple dress and shoes. she was like a princess. Mandy and Daniel had practice a traditional waltz but her in DR they a merengue music. It was so funny because Daniel is from Uruguay and can't dance merengue.

Graduation at Skyline

We flew again in June for Mandy's graduation at Skyline. It was to say the least a very awkward time for me because all the neighbors we had known for years were there over looking at Brad and his young new bride. But nevertheless it was great to see the children once more and to eat out with them. We stayed at the old racket club condo and went out with Fredy to look for properties.

Analia's graduation

Analia had been studying very hard to be a Physical Therapist for years and now in May of 2010 she finally gets to graduate from the University of Utah. We flew to Utah for this special moment and had dinner with the family to celebrate at Asian Star. We also wanted to spend some time with Alejandro who is getting married to Lexi in July. We stayed at the home in Bountiful since it had not been rented yet.

An empty home

We decided to keep our home in Bountiful because it is not a good time to be selling real estate, so from February to May this home was empty. One day, we got a call that we had to hurry and went to Salt Lake to send the shipment because the renters needed to move in right away. We flew and got the movers there and within 2 days it was done. At least we thought but it turned out that we left about 25 little things for others to do including taking the garbage out but it was too much to ask so the next time I move again, I will make sure to stay until I see that everything is done.